Bastille
Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille
prison on July 14, 1789, which began the brief overthrow of the French monarchy and the French Revolution. Fun! In France, the holiday makes for parades and fireworks. In New York,
French expats and Francophiles can get in on the celebration via the finer things: food, wine, shopping and film. We've rounded up some events for you below.

Honor France's magnifique cuisine with an indulgent steak au poivre or some frites. La Grenouille offers a pricey ($325 with tax and tip) eight-course menu with six wines, while Bouchon Bakery has
a deal for slimmer wallets with a buffet of french cuisine, wine,
champagne, and music for $65. The person who answered the phone at
tried and true French bistro Le Relais de venise
told us "every day is Bastille day" at the restaurant, and though
they're not doing anything special tomorrow, their usual $24
pre-fixe dinner makes it a nice little option.La Grenouille, 3 E. 52nd St. (212) 752-1495. 7 p.m.; Bouchon Bakery, 10 Columbus Circle(212) 823-9364, 7 p.m.-10 p.m.; Le Relais de Venise. 590 Lexington Ave., (212) 758-3989.

Bring out your inner Parisian chic by
stopping by one of these sample sales by French designers. At French label Lilith's sample sale you'll find their playful, ultra-femme
Spring collection for 40 to 50 percent off. With a name fashioned from the French word for poppy, it's no surprise
that the shoe brand and boutique Coclico are as girly and charming as
the bloom itself. Samples of their environment-friendly kicks are up to
70% off, along with selections from the Nolita shop like free-spirited
frocks from Wren, Chie Mihara's jaunty heels, and Mociun's organic
prints.Gents can head to C'est Beau, a pop-up shop created by three
Syracuse University business students where you can find minimalist cardigans and
pullovers from Nom de Guerre, 90's-inspired streetwear from PegLeg, and Claw Money's impressive collection of vintage shades. Lilith, 227 Mulberry St. (212) 925-0080, Mon-Sat, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun 12 p.m.-7 p.m.;Coclico, 670 Broadway, Ste. 502., Tues.-Thurs., 12 p.m.-4 p.m; C'est Beau, 55 Delancey St., Mon.-Sun.,12 p.m.-8 p.m.

Les Artistes

The Museum of Modern Art opens
its three-month long exhibition "Matisse: Radical Invention: 1913-1917" this Sunday. The exhibition investigates a pivotal and experimental four years of
the French painter Henri Matisse's career, which many historians have long ignored as a deviative reaction to cubism, but produced his most
esoteric, stunning works, including "Bathers by a River" and "The Moroccans."

Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53rd St., (212) 708-9400. Check here for hours. July 18 - October 11.

Le Cinematheque

Sultry
bed hair, seductive cat eyes, and pouty lips are perhaps French actress
and style icon Brigitte Bardot's greatest legacies, but you can check
out her acting chops in En Cas de Malheur (Love Is My Profession). Brigitte plays a petty thief who returns her lawyer's services with some, er, services of her own, as his lover. It's considered one of Bardot's best, if not smuttiest, roles. Allez-y!